268 new passenger train coaches expected on South Africa’s rail lines any day now

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has taken delivery of more than 268 refurbished yellow train coaches that could be deployed onto the rail network at any time.

This is according to the Portfolio Committee on Transport, which called on the agency to return these coaches to service soon.

During a three-day oversight visit to Prasa, among other entities, the committee’s chairperson, Donald Selamolela, urged the rail agency not to hide its good work.

“The committee is satisfied with the value the entity is adding to our economy and our communities through the General Overhaul (GO) programme,” he said.

“It was a marvel to experience first-hand the work done on the refurbished coaches, the socio-economic impact in the area of Isando and the skills transfer in the rail engineering.”

Committee members received detailed briefings and conducted a walkabout at Prasa’s Braamfontein Depot, as well as the YNF Engineering plant, which forms part of the GO programme in Isando.

It was during the visit to the YNF plant that the committee noted the more than 268 refurbished yellow train coaches that had been delivered to Prasa.

While the committee heard of the initial challenges with the General Overhaul programme at the Braamfontein Depot, the coaches are ready to be deployed onto South Africa’s rail network at any time.

Despite this, Selamolela called on Prasa to work even harder to ensure that the refurbished trains are returned to service soon.

“The empowerment value of this programme and the general effort that PRASA is putting into getting the rail sector fully functional are noted,” he said.

“We are satisfied with the work on the Mabopane rail corridor, as well as the Gauteng Nerve Centre, which should soon be fully operational.”

Dispelling negativity and looking forward

During the visit, Selamolela noted that it is crucial to dispel the negativity around the rusting trains at the Braamfontein depot, as well as the allegations of malfeasance in the General Overhaul programme.

“The committee noted that passenger safety is prioritised in the refurbished coaches,” the chairperson said.

“Improvements to the coaches align with the broader objectives of safe, affordable and reliable public transport, including ventilation, internet connectivity and digitised operations.”

He added that the committee is happy to see the coaches receiving as much attention to prolong their lifespan.

“The committee is satisfied that service delivery to poor and deserving South Africans is being expedited,” said Selamolela.

The goal of the GO programme is to refurbish and repair Prasa’s old yellow fleet, while the Gibela fleet – which the committee did not visit during its oversight – is also ramping up production.

The chairperson noted that his only concern was the lack of forward planning in the General Overhaul contracts, which will expire in 18 months.

“We cannot have another 500 employees from this GO contract joining the unemployment queues,” he declared.

“So we are saying to PRASA: make the project sustainable and profitable, but, importantly, proactively plan for eventualities.”

Selamolela added that return on investment makes business sense, and told Prasa to consider how the entity accommodates and carries the GO programme forward.

“When trains are locked away and remain unscheduled in depots, it feeds negative perceptions,” he explained.

The chairperson expressed his pride in all the professionals involved in South Africa’s rail network, adding that ridiculing their work may demoralise hardworking professionals and engineers.